A Hospital Visit That Ended in Tragedy
What should have been a routine hospital visit for 18-year-old Jaedyn Williams turned into a nightmare on August 6. Williams, a resident of University Place, had gone to MultiCare Allenmore Hospital in Tacoma with his girlfriend to address his elbow pain. Sitting together in the emergency room’s waiting area, they could not have imagined that danger was about to walk through the doors. Moments later, the peace of the hospital was shattered by gunfire. Williams was struck in the torso, his injuries proving fatal. His girlfriend was also injured in the attack. The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled his death a homicide, forever marking this day as one of profound loss and injustice.
A Deadly Encounter with No Warning
Charging documents paint a chilling picture of what unfolded. The suspect, 25-year-old Martice Lawon Ryan, allegedly entered the waiting room with one arm concealed inside his hoodie. He reportedly confronted Williams, accusing him of staring. Williams calmly denied doing so and stated that he did not know the man. Without further provocation, Ryan is accused of producing a firearm and opening fire, striking both Williams and his girlfriend. The young woman told investigators she had never seen Ryan before and had no prior interaction with him. What began as an ordinary wait for medical care became an unprovoked act of violence in a place meant for healing.
A Father’s Plea for Justice
The devastating loss of Jaedyn Williams has left his family and community reeling. During Ryan’s arraignment, Williams’ father stood in court and made a powerful plea to Pierce County Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille: deny bail. “This wasn’t merely a homicide, your honor; this was an act of terror. This incident occurred in a hospital, a place where anyone in this community should feel secure,” he told the court. His words resonated deeply—underscoring the senselessness of the attack and the need for accountability. Ryan is currently being held at the Pierce County Jail without bail, with further hearings scheduled to determine the next steps in the case.
For the Williams family, no legal proceeding will bring back their son. Jaedyn’s life, full of promise and cut short far too soon, is now a memory cherished by those who loved him. Tacoma has been left shaken by the fact that such violence could erupt within the walls of a hospital. It serves as a sobering reminder that even the safest places can be touched by tragedy—and that justice for Jaedyn is a cause worth fighting for until the very end.
